Toe block structure



Jan. 9, 1962 G. WARE 3,015,245

' TOE BLOCK STRUCTURE Filed April 27, 1960 i L JNVENTOR. g 55 gr dazz/fiflar'e United States Patent 3,016,246 TOE BLOCK STRUCTURE Gordon K. Ware, St. Charles, 11]., assignor to The Chicago Roller Skate Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 25,144 1 Claim. (Cl. 280-112) This invention relates generally to a toe block structure for attachment to a roller skate and more particularly to a toe block structure which is adapted for use as a take-off in jumps, spins and the like.

According to conventional practice, toe block structures which are intended to be attached to a roller skate are arranged to display a single flat surface or face to the floor for use as a brake. Many skaters have found that these toe block structures are also useful as a take-off in jumps, spins and other acrobatics. However, the toe blocks heretofore known and used have shapes which define an apex coincident with the particular point from which the skater desires to initiate his maneuver. The instability of this substantially point contact with the rink floor has required the exercise of considerable skill in initiating a jump, spin or other acrobatic maneuver. Moreover, the instability of this point contact has led to numerous skater injuries, especially twisted angles.

Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toe block structure for attachment to a roller skate.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved toe block structure which affords a high degree of stability when used as a take-off in jumps, spins and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toe block structure which ensures both'safety and control during acrobatic maneuvers.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a toe block structure which is adapted for use as a brake and which possesses prolonged braking life.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toe block structure which is adapted for use as a take-off and which facilitates a smooth rise for jumps, spins and the like.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a toe block structure which is permissive of a strong attachment to a roller skate.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain to the particular structure and arrangements whereby the above objects are attained. I

A toe block structure in accord with the invention includes an elastomeric element having two faces intersecting to define an elongated ridge, and means for mounting the element to the frontend of a roller skate with the elongated ridge disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the skate.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, reference now will be made to the following disclosure and drawing forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a skater wearing roller skates incorporating a toe block structure in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of aroller skate employing a toe block structure of the invention;

7 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side-elevational view of a roller skate showing the toe block structure being used as a brake;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side-elevational view of a roller skate showing the toe block structure being used as a take-off; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toe block structure of the'invention.

, 3,016,246 Patented Jan. 9, 1962 rear wheel truck assembly 20. A brace bar 22 is advantageously provided for linking the trucks 18 and 20 in.

spaced relationship.

The sole plate 16 terminates at its forward end in a depending supporting structure 24; and-the toe block structure 14 is adapted to be attached to the structure 24.

As is best shown in FIG. 5, the toe block structure 14 includes a body 26 of an elastomeric material, desirably white rubber so that the toe block will be nonmarking. The body 26 is preferably frusto-conical in shape and is arranged to have twosurfac'es or faces 28 and 30 intersect across a major diameter of the body 26 to define an elongated ridge 32. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the ridge 32 is transversely rounded in order to facilitate a smooth rise to the ridge 32 when the structure 14 is used as a take off in jurnps,.

spins and other acrobatic maneuvers.

, supporting structure 24 angulated from the sole plate 16 so as to best resist the forces imposed thereon in the course of acrobatic skating. Further referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the portion 24 approaches a vertical position with the braking surface 30 in engagement with the ground (FIG. 3), and that this portion 24 also closely approaches a vertical position when only the ridge portion 32 is in engagement with the ground (FIG. 4). Thus, the portion 24 absorbs reaction forces in a substantially vertical direction so as to minimize bending effects between it and the sole plate.

The means for mounting structure 14 to the roller skate 12 includes a threaded stud 34 which is desirably molded as an insert in the body 26. As shown, stud 34 extends through a cooperatively threaded aperture 36 in supporting structure 24 to receive a threaded nut 38. A lock washer 40 may be interposed between the nut 38 and the supporting structure 24 if desired.

In use, the toe block structure 14 is attached to the skate 12 with the elongated ridge 32 disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the skate, as shown in FIG. 4. So disposed, the ridge 32 is available for use as a takeoff in jumps, spins and other acrobatic maneuvers. Moreover, with the toe block structure 14 so disposed, one of the faces, face 30 as shown, is confrontable with a rink floor 42 for use as a drag or friction brake in accordance with the showing of FIG. 3.v

As the toe block structure 14 becomes worn in use and the symmetry thereof is impaired, the structure 14 will be reversed, i.e. the face 28 will be arranged to confront the floor for use as a brake. This rearrangement is achieved by loosening the nut 38 and rotating the toe block structure 14 a half turn. When the structure 14 has been rearranged with the face 28 confronting the floor, the nut 38 is again tightened into firm contact in order to position the structure 14 positively with respect to the skate 12.

It is also to be recognized that the length of the stud 34 affords a certain amount of longitudinal or axial adjustment in the position of the toe block structure 14. Within the limits established by the length of the stud 34, the structure 14 will be extended generally toward the floor and away from the structure 24; and when a desired configuration is achieved, the toe block will be secured by means of the lock washer 40 and the nut 38.

Thus, the invention provides a toe block structure which is particularly well adapted for use as a take-01f in jumps, spins and the like, proifering an elongated ridge 32 for such purposes. As a result, skaters utilizing the toe block structure of the invention realize greater control in their acrobatic maneuvers and enjoy greater stability and safety as wellf Therefore, the specific example herein shown and described should be considered as illustrative only. Various changes in structure will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and these changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall Within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

The invention is claimed as follows:

In a roller skate including a sole plate and wheel truck assemblies positioned-in longitudinally spaced relationship therealong to defined fore and aft rolling centers, the provision of a toe block support structure depending from the front of the sole plate and including a plate portion projecting forwardly from said sole plate at an angle between the horizontal plane of the sole plate and a vertical plane therethrough, an elastomeric ground engaging elementhaving fore and aft downwardly facing surfaces intersecting at an obtuse angle along a transversely elonthat the braking surface assumes a ground engaging planar position with the plate portion approaching a vertical position with respect to the ground surface and with the plate portion also approaching a similar vertical position when the transversely elongated ridge portion is used for take-oft with the braking surface out of contact with the ground surface, whereby reactive thrusts from engagement of the braking surface and take-oft surface with the ground surface are transmitted through the plate portion acting as a strut member approaching vertical positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,566,747 Rice .a Sept. 4, 1951 2,696,989 Kleinman Dec. 14, 1954 2,706,641 Van Horn Apr. 19, 1955 2,727,749 Fackler Dec. 20, 1955 2,941,812

Reynolds June 21, 1960 

